If Rappers were Basketball Players.

2Pac = Michael Jordan - ﻿2pac was arguably the Greatest rapper of all time. Definately the most
influential. Michael Jordan is considered by most basketball fans as the greatest basketball player of all time. Both changed their lane, Michael Jordan is Basketball. 2Pac is Hip-Hop.

﻿Krs One = Wilt Chamberlain - One of the pioneers of rap. HipHop heads know who KRS One is, many consider him one of the greatest lyricists of all time he is a Hip-Hop legend. Wilt Dominated the game in his time was one of the first great bigmen, he is forever remembered as a Basketball Legend and a top 5 player of all time.

Notorious B.I.G. = Magic Johnson - Both had a certain charisma. Magic was something we had never seen before Biggie put storytelling rap to a whole new level. Many people put Magic against Jordan and Big against Pac.

LL Cool J = Bill Russell - One of the earliest rap greats, LL Cool J dominated the rap game, he has sold 11 gold or platinum albums in his career, though he wasn't the best lyricist, he is still a hop hop legend and great. Russell is forever remembered as a winner. Bill Russell Set the standard for what a bigman should do. Dominate defense, anchor his team. And Win. Winning 11 Championships in his career.

Nas = Larry Bird - Nas came off the gate on fire. He dropped Illmatic considered a legendary hip hop album. Larry Bird came into the NBA as already a top 5 player, he won ROY over magic, Lead the celtics to the best record in the east, became an all-star and gave new hope to celtics fans. Nas was considered the future of east coast rap.

Rakim = Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Rakim dominated the rap game the minute he came in, as a 17 year old he took lyricism to a whole new level. He was something Hip-Hop had never seen before. Kareem was already making headlines before even making it into the NBA. Once he came into the keague he dominated averaging over 28 points and 14 rebounds a game.

Big L = Penny Hardaway - Big L was killed at the young age of 24 before even reaching his peak as a rapper, however his talent can only make us wonder what could have been. His storytelling rap was one of the greatest. Penny Hardaway came into the league and took over, as a rookie he was paired up with Shaquille O'Neal and in only a matter of time, the duo lead their team to the NBA finals. However Penny Hardaway's career was cut short by numerous injuries. Both are examples of two people falling before reaching their prime. still they are remembered in their careers as

Jay-Z = Kobe Bryant - Jay-Z came into the game was Biggies protege. His first album Reasonable Doubt is a classic. Up there with Nas' Illmatic. He has had a long career and is still at the top. Kobe Bryant came into the league out of high school. He was an all-star in only his second season becoming the youngest all-star ever. Though both are as good as they were during their prime, Him and Jay-Z are still undoubtedly at the top of their game. Everybody knows who Kobe Bryant is, everybody knows who Jay-Z is. They are both even through their long careers
still running Basketball and Hip-Hop.

Anyway thanks for reading! Do yall have anymore comparisons? If so comment below :)

Both came in hot. Arrogant and more egotistical than the rest of them. Still, one of the best of his time and did things differently than the average rapper. Not only that, he teamed up with another great. Jay-Z/Dwyane Wade

comparing Lupe to Granger isnt fair. Id say maybe Amare as he was a very talented that has diminished a bit when he signed. Knicks arent using Amare right and Atlantic Records isnt using Lupe right. Lupe is a better rapper than Amare is a basketball player but i cant think of any circumstances like this for better players.

Imo J. Cole is Kevin Durant - J. Cole was the first artist signed to Roc Nation. He was already good
with the Warm Up and Friday Night Lights but still wasn't a Mainstream Hit. With his Album Cole World: The Sideline Story, more people began to listen to him. Similar to Kevin Durant, KD is the Franchise player of the OKC thunder. He had already been good as a rookie averaging 20 in his rookie season and 25 in his second, however most people really didn't notice him yet until his breakout year during his 3rd NBA season. J. Cole is bringing Lyricism back to Rap (Along with Kendrick Lamar, XV, Elzhi, Big KRIT and other new school rappers). I think both will soon become the faces of Hip-Hop and Basketball.

Drake = Derrick Rose - Drake had a huge hype surrounding him after dropping so far gone. He was signed to one of the hottest labels in YMCM. He has already had many accomplishments already dropping 2 platinum albums. He is one of the most well known and mainstream rappers right now, and is the face of young rappers. Derrick Rose was another product of John Calipari. He was hugely hyped during the 2008 draft and was picked 1st overall by one of the most famous NBA teams in the Chicago Bulls (similar to the bidding wars over drake and the labels that wanted him). he already won the MVP and ROY. he has led to bulls to the playoffs and is one of the best young NBA players out today.

Kendrick Lamar = Kevin Love - Kendrick Lamar is already well known in the Hip-Hop circle, many consider 2011 as Kendrick Lamar's year. His album, Section.80 was CLASSIC. He talks about subjects we haven't heard in a long time in hip-hop. Although many hip-hop fans already know him he is still not in the same level of mainstream as a Drake or a J. Cole, but with his Album dropping in 2012 (which i can't wait to cop) he will surely finally be in the people's eyes (or ears) for years to come. Kevin Love is OLD SCHOOL. We haven't seen a player such as Kevin Love. He is textbook, he is the fundamental Big man. He grabs rebounds, scores well on the post, uses his body. The 2010-2011 season is what made people finally get notice of Kevin Love. And similar to Kendrick Lamar, though alot of Basketball Fans know who he is, he is still not as well known as his counterpart Blake Griffin or Other young players such as Durant and Rose.

I made a few, had some different ones than you have, but I felt my reasoning was valid. I guess it is all in good fun, lol. My favorite (only because the original poster tried to make a connection with Tyga):

lil wayne= whoever is overrated. imo i think hes the most overrated rapper of all time. i only liked 1 of his albums. soo ill say lil wayne is to joe johnson

50 cent= tim duncan. once amazing, and people will always remmeber 50 cent too. like duncan, he'll always be there... (if you know what i mean) like even though 50 cent sucks now, people still know of him, and listen to his stuff

Ice Cube began his career as a member of the CIA and after making his name there joined the NWA where he enjoyed most of his success. After leaving NWA he built a solo career and became a self marketing genius appearing as a writer, director and actor in hollywood. Ice Cube was known as "the nigga you love to hate" but will go down in history as a living legend.

Shag began with the Orlando Magic but eventually enjoyed the LA Lakers where he enjoyed most of his success. After leaving LA he drifted between several teams and became a self marketing genius trying to be a rapper, actor and writer. Shaq has been easy to hate on for much of his career but will go down in history as a legend.

Snoop Dog - Julius Erving

Both of these men impacted their respective fields in a way that few others ever could. Flashy with tons of style, they also provided substance. One word can aptly describe both their styles; SMOOTH.

Grandmaster Flash - Oscar Robertson

So hard to compare different eras of hip hop and basketball but these are two guys that stood out in their respective careers. Grandmaster Flash was one of the first great hip hop artists and DJs and will be remembered for a long time for his contributions with the Furious Five. The Big O was one of the first great basketball players and will always be remembered for averaging a triple double in 1962.